Mumba missing as Serenje violence trial stalls

Daniel Mumba, who is jointly accused with Socialist Party president, Fred M’membe, is reportedly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and unreachable, leading to the failure of continued trial proceedings before the Lusaka High Court.

The matter failed to proceed yesterday before Judge Ruth Chibbabbuka due to Mumba’s absence, prompting concern from the court and the prosecution.

Mumba and Dr M’membe are jointly charged in a case arising from the alleged Serenje violence of April 2023.

Defence lawyer Gregory Kabwe of Mulungushi Chambers told the court that repeated efforts by the defence team to contact Mumba since Wednesday had proved unsuccessful.

Mumba’s surety, Enock Kandelele, 38, of Chilanga, informed the court that the accused had allegedly travelled to Congo following a family bereavement but had since become unreachable despite several attempts to contact him.

Kandelele pleaded with the court to grant him more time to trace Mumba and ensure his attendance at the next sitting.

During cross-examination, Senior State Advocate Stephen Mainza questioned Kandelele on the source of his information regarding Mumba’s alleged trip to Congo, to which the surety responded that he had been informed by a person close to the accused.

Judge Chibbabbuka warned that the court would take appropriate action if Mumba failed to appear for continued trial on May 15.

Dr M’membe and Mumba are facing three counts of acts intended to cause grievous harm involving Emmanuel Simposya and Haggai Kwenda following the alleged Serenje violence in April 2023.

M’membe is alleged to have fired a firearm during the said violence during a by election.

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